chapter 40(1)

Gannon My face nestles in the curve of her neck, seeking solace in the delicate intermingling of scents. The familiar fragrance of her skin, a sweet blend of vanilla and lavender, wraps around me like a comforting embrace. Her question hangs in the air, dripping with skepticism and a hint of longing. “Why are you here?” she repeats, her voice wavering with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “To see you,” I reply, my words laced with an undercurrent of urgency, trying to hide my disappointment that she isn’t more excited to see me. “Why else? You haven’t been answering my calls.” Gently, I guide her back onto her feet, my gaze fixed upon her. It’s impossible not to notice the weight she has lost, a feat that defies logic given her already slender frame. Her pants, rolled at the hips to keep them from slipping off, appear several sizes too big. Even her white shirt, a piece borrowed from Kade’s wardrobe, hangs loosely on her fragile form. And as I observe her, I can’t help but notice t